No, Tracy, I Will Not Be Making Chocolates on Friday

(Unable to control myself) I made these instead:

Apricots dipped in semi-sweet chocolate rolled in pistachios. I got the recipe from Fitness magazine-crazy! But of course they couldn't all be nutty!

Speaking of food:

Thanksgiving was fun. Thanks to the Spackman's (Jonathan's sister) and their cabin we had some good times.

The kids were fed first.

Everyone really just wanted to eat Porter.

Chelsea did my hair for me (notice my awesome nursing cover).

Are these two brothers?

And of course, Uncle James meets Porter.


Then last Sunday at Grandma's-more food! The kids decorated (and then ate) gingerbread houses.
Some really great photos of secret Christmas sewing projects are coming soon, so check in next week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for long naptimes that allow me to get really simple, moderately stupid projects done.

Hanging Head Mobile So, I made this for Porty because he stares into space all the time (well, he is 4 months old). Here is how:

1. Paint an embroidery hoop white.
2. Glue the hoop together at two points.
3. Tie various types of ribbon (not too thick or it's too hard to tie) around animal finger puppets (I got mine from IKEA.)
4. Tie the ribbon-choked animals to the embroidery hoop. Cover the hardware of the embroidery hoop with a ribbon.
5. Attach fishing line and a thumbtack and hang it off the ceiling.
6. Place baby beneath and watch them stare.

View from the side:

Sheridan was my little helper.

View from below:The faces hang down so there is someone to look at.

View of my cute kiddies:

Party, Party!

Food, friends, and sewing-is it Christmas already? No, just a get together to get together costumes for a Christmas Nativity. We put together clothing for Mary, Joseph, three wisemen, two shepards, an angel, a cow, a sheep, and a donkey in about 5 hours (plus eating and packing up time!)

Our leaders: Heidi and Holly. Thanks for doing all the shopping and pattern-making and figuring and teaching and directing and hosting and.....

Cassie cutting out angels-isn't she one?

Me and first-time seamstress Jane Ann (did I spell your name right?)

Whitney is having some serious fun-or did she just eat a brownie?

Speaking of food-here's the table. By the way if you enjoyed the Cookie Dough Truffles find the recipe here. DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for the weight you will gain making these every week because they are sooooo good. I am not the Devil, Holly!

I LOVE to sew!

And just because you need a super cute baby fix. Tee Hee!

Busy, Busy!

I made six purses for Julie.

Which is your favorite?

Halloween!
A week has gone by. Syd's candy is long gone, and the older girls only have the gross stuff left (those Butterfingers lasted a day!) so I'm not scavenging in there anymore. I made the costumes because I'm INSANE!
The beautiful princess (with friends). The dress had to touch the floor (it has already been washed twice.) Thanks for the crown Grandma Shauna.
The sweet fairy in the school parade. Thanks for the wings Grandma Shauna.
The sparkly butterfly and her butterfly friend. The wings are iridescent blue!
The sweet pea and Elvis with bad teeth. The baby stayed warm and cozy.
Trick or treating in the spitting rain (at least it wasn't snowing!)
The snow came a few days later! This is about 8" of heavy, wet snow. Snowbird Ski Resort opened today. Come and ski-they got 3 feet!

CURRENT PROJECTS:

Drapes, purses, and iPhone holders. More to come....

Autumn Hike

We took the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to see the changing leaves and do a little hiking.


The girls could have gone on for hours!


I made the sling the Porter is in.


Aren't aspens beautiful? (I sound like Fancy Nancy!)


All of this was 20 minutes away from where we live-don't you want to visit now?

Sewing News:
I (finally) finished Margaret's quilt. Give me a break, she's only 6 months old. Lisa's last one had to wait until he was almost 2 years old!

Margaret looks happy to get it-she's really be on my case about finishing it!

Oh, wait, it's my sister Lisa who has been on my case to finish it! Just kidding, Lee!


The fabrics are all 30s fabrics, which I love. I like the black, it has a small print, because it makes the colors stand out and also adds a little refinement to prints that may look too babyish. I want this quilt to be the one they drag around with them when they're "big" kids too. See my March 8, 2008 post for more info.

Porter Blessed

We blessed Porter on Sunday, September 27th. Jonathan blessed him joined by brothers, brothers-in-law, fathers, grandfathers, and friends. We had a great testimony meeting with testimonies from many family members (of course, Porter started crying and needed a diaper change and to eat--thank goodness for sound being piped into the "mother's room.")

We then came to our home for food and photos!

4 Generations of James Men

Mom, Dad, and Porter

Dad and Porter

Cousins walking home from church

Time to eat-we had a houseful

Thanks for coming everyone!